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To the President of Congress

In this letter, JA provided the English text of a note presented by the Russian minister, Prince Gallitzin,
to Hendrik Fagel, secretary to the States General, on 10 January. The Russian diplomat
wrote that, in order to avoid delays occasioned by correspondence, Catherine II thought
it essential that instructions designed to meet all contingencies with regard to belligerent
depredations on the commerce of the allied neutral powers be issued to the ministers
of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark at the belligerent courts. She also recommended that
the States General issue similar instructions. JA wrote that

“I have transmitted this, as well as all other State Papers relative to the maritime
Confederation, because I hope it will be finally established, as it appears to be
for the good of Mankind in general and of the United States in particular. The Dutch
are so attached to it, that I think they will not give it up, and if the Empress has
it sincerely at heart She will not consent that the Dutch should relinquish it.”